Lyle Lovett-My Baby Don't Tolerate

Lyle Lovett

My Baby Don't Tolerate

by Jay Johnson

Lyle Lovett could rule the contemporary pop-country charts if he so chose. Two songs on his newest release, My Baby Don’t Tolerate, substantiate that claim. "Cute As A Bug" and "Wallisville Road" smack of the formulaic, up-tempo, saccharin feel of the songs that cookie cutter groups and artists use to fill stadiums and arenas across the USA. The former, about a pretty girl in a VW, and the latter, a high octane tribute to the free spirited, youth fueled adrenaline that’s associated with Saturday nights, have you tapping your toes and singing along. But, the fact that they’re sung by Lyle Lovett make it okay and not offensive to your Americana or roots musical sensibilities. "Cute As A Bug" and "Wallisville Road" may well be the alluring pastry that piques your interest and whets your appetite, but the man from Klein, Texas, serves up ample helpings of meat and potatoes on the balance of the CD. Overall, there is more of a country feel with less jazz and big band overtones then on many previous releases. The seven backing musicians, a small band by Lyle’s standards, include legendary session drummer Russ Kunkel. Many of the self-penned, fourteen songs reveal Lyle’s sardonic wit and wry sense of humor to be in peak form.

Traditional country influences are heard in "The Truck Song" and "Nothing But A Good Ride". The subject matter, a pick-up truck, of the former was once obligatory to a good country album. Of course, that was back when country artists released album. "Nothing But A Good Ride", with a mysterious mention of independent film producer William Wenders, is a feel good nod to nomadic, rambling spirits everywhere and, perhaps, an unintentional, inadvertent homage to the king of trucker songs, the late Dave Dudley. The musical underpinnings of the song are supported by the excellent fiddle playing of Stuart Duncan.

"You Were Always There" is a slow, almost dirge-like, song that carries a somber tone and offers some Tom Waits-like lyrical imagery. Conversely, "In My Own Mind", while introspective, is an upbeat celebration of clean air, creaking hardwood floors, hot coffee and country living. The title song, "My Baby Don’t Tolerate", is a bluesy, humorous look at the relations between a tardy, wayward husband and his wife. "San Antonio Girl", a toe-tapping song about an instantaneous, whirlwind, day long romance might have fallen into the guilty pleasures category, but the western swing sound turns it into a song that Hank Thompson could have fun with. Lyle closes the CD with two infectious gospel songs, "I’m Going To Wait" and "I’m Going To The Place". The rollicking piano, by Matt Rollings, on "I’m Going To Wait" helps the song build to an evangelical crescendo that will have the agnostics and atheists among us clapping their hands and praising the man, if not praising the Man!

Yes, Lyle Lovett could rule the contemporary pop-country charts if he so chose. I, for one, am glad he chooses to release music like My Baby Don’t Tolerate.

Jay Johnson – Cleveland, Ohio
January, 2004

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